Memorization device



April-17, 1928. 1,666,337

J. E. MCDADE uauoRI zATIoN DEVICE Filed Julys. 1925 I'Tuianm PatentedApr. 17, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES E. MCDADE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MEMonIzA'rIoN DEVICE Application led July 6, 1925. Serial No. 41,608.

My invention relates yto memorization devices and has for one of itsobjects the provision of a new and improved form and arrangement ofparts 'by which the maximum of assistance may be afforded when necessarywhile at the same time the device is kept of simple form capable ofbeing easily and cheaply produced and capable of very ready manipulationin use.

In devices of this type, it is quite important for the best results informing the memory bond that the association be visual', with theassociated elements in close juxtaposition so that the whole is visibleat once and preferably capable of use with only one bond or set ofrelated elements exposed at a time. It is also very important,particularly whenthe device is for use by children who are justbeginning systematic training of thought and memory, that the associatedelements be so very readily accessible and so exceedingly easilyexamined in the desired close relation to each other that any possibletrace of doubt as to the fact to be memorized will beimmediatelyrelieved by a dente verification, thus tending to establish the habit ofbeing accurate and certain as distinguished from the objectionable habitof relying upon guessing to any extent at all beyond the absolutelynecessary period. It is one of the objects of my invention to provide aconstuction by which these results may be obtained to marked advantage.

It is another object of my invention to provide a constructioncomprising a meniber bearing a mass of data to be memorized, such `databeing arranged in columns with the related elements of the two columnsoppositely disposed in such close proximity and so arranged that therelated facts are both exposed to the eye and readily discernible at asingle glance, suoli member beingarranged for convenient use by itselffor preliminary study and adapted for later study and memory testing inconnection with the remainder of the memorization device.

It is another object of my invention to improve devices of thisdescription in sundry details hereinafter pointed out. The preferredmeans by which -I have accomplished my several objects are illustratedin the drawing and are hereinafter specifically described. That which Ibelieve to be new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is set forth inthe claims.

In the drawing- Fig. l is a face view of my improved device;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, but With the flap of the envelope portion(partly broken away) in changed position; Y

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a modied form of device; and

I Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the lap in a changedposition.

Referring to Figs. l, 2 and 3,-10 indicates a card orslide made ofpaper, celluloid, or other suitable material, bearing a mass of data tobe memorized, such data being arranged in columns with a question orproblem in one column and its answer oppositely disposed in the othercolumn and so arranged that the related elements lem and answer) are ata glance readily discerniblev in close proximity to each other. Suchrelated elements in oppositely disposed columns may be in the form ofproblem and answer as illustrated in Fig. l, or may be of any other typeof relationship by reason of which it may be desirable to associate suchelements in ones memory.

The card l0 is shown in Fig. l in position with the envelope l1 which isopen at both ends and which is slightly shorter than the card so thatthe card can be readily manipulated for movement through the envelopefor bringing the differentsetsof related elements successively into viewthrough the window l2 out in the face of the .envelope, as shown in Fig.2. A flap 13 is swingingly mounted on the envelope 1l being hinged on anaxis extending longitudinally of the envelope in position to be movedinto and out of position over the window 12. This flap 13 in turn isprovided with a Window'l/t so arranged that when the flap is (probfoldeddown into the position shown in Fig. 1 the window 14; registers with theupper portion of the window 12 while the lower portion of the window 12is closed by the flap. The arrangement and proportions are such that,when the flap 13 is folded down as shown in F ig. 1, one element only ofthe set of related elements is visible through the two windows 12 and141, and that when the flap is raised as shown in Fig. 2 both relatedelements are visible together, segregated from the adjacent elements,and in the desired close juxtaposition for rendering the'maximumassistance for forming the memory bond.

As is shown in Fig. 3, the envelope 11 is formed from a single piece ofmaterial folded into shape and secured by an interior flap 15 pasted orotherwise firmly attached in appropriate position to the body of theenvelope. In this construction, the flap 13 is preferably rounded at itslower edge so as to facilitate manipulation.

In the normal use of the device, the card 10 is first very carefullystudied independently of the envelope 11, the card being preferablyprovided with data on both faces, all or any desired portion of suchdata being studied for fixing in mind the related facts. As analternative, if desired, the data may be first studied, with the card inthe envelope and with the flap 13 held in raised position so as toexpose successively the several sets of related elements, each set inturn being completely segregated from the adjacent elements. In thisstudy, the mind is very materially aided by the close association of thetwo related elements in the oppositely disposed columns.

When the data have been partially or completely mastered, the flap 13 isfolded down for testing the memory. By this test, the student is madeclearly conscious of the ones he knows and the ones he does not know.When the test reveals the fact that a certain bond has not yet beenformed, the flap is raised so as to disclose together in associatedposition the problem and answer under conditions best calculated to formthe bond eectively and permanently. After having seen the two relatedelements in associated position with the flap 13 raised, the studenteasily and quickly covers one of the related elements, whereupon he isenabled, with the minimum physical disturbance intervening', tovisualize the other related element in the spot where it was justpreviously seen. This visual and positional association of the twoelements is very important for the formation of the desired permanentbond. By the use of my device, the answer can be seen when needed, andwhen it is seen because it is needed it will be seen in close proximityto the related element where it will have the maximum effect as a memoryaid.

By the use of my improved construction by which any possible doubt as tothe correctness of the memory can be satisfied with almost no physicalexertion at all by merely swinging the flap 13 through a. quarter turn,the student is encouraged to satisfy his doubt and is taught to requireand demand accuracy and certainty of himself.

ln the form of construction as shown in Figs. l and 5, a card 16corresponding to the card 10 is used, slidably mounted in an open endedenvelope 17 having a window 18 in its face through which the relatedelements carried by the card 16 can be seen, one set of related elementsat a time just as above described in connection with the device ofFig. 1. The lower port-ion of the window 18 is closed in thisconstruction by means of a iiap 19 adapted to be folded down as shown inFig. 4 or to be raised slightly as shown in F ig. 5 for disclosing therelated elements together.

While l prefer to employ a construction suoli as those shown in thedrawing and above described, it will be understood that ll do not wishto be restricted to the details of construction shown except as the samemay be specifically claimed, inasmuch as changes may well be made in thedetailed form without departing from the spirit of my invention.

l claim:

1. A memorization device comprising in combination a card bearing on oneface a mass of data arranged in columns with related elements oppositelydisposed, an envelope having a window and adapted to expose successivelythrough the window the several sets of related elements, each set byitself, upon relative longitudinal movement of the card and envelope,and a flap carried by said envelope and movable into and out ofposit-ion over said window, said flap also being provided with a windowtherein through which one, only, of said related elements is visible.

2. A memorization device comprising in combination a cover, a cardslidably mounted with respect to said cover and provided with twocolumns` of related data having one element in one column and itsrelated element in the other column, said cover being provided withwindow means through which in turn each element of data in one columnand its related element in the other column are visible in associationwith each other, segregated from the remaining data as the card ismoved, and a member movably mounted on said cover adapted in oneposition partially to close said window means for covering one of saidrelated elements.

3. A memorization device comprising in combination an envelope open atboth ends, a card slidable through said envelope and provided with twocolumns of related dat-a having each element in one column disposedopcard is moved through the envelope, and a posite to its relatedelement in the other colflap swingingly mounted on said envelope umn,said envelope being provided with a opposite said Window adapted in oneposi- 10 Window extending straight across one face tion to close aportion ofthe Window for 5 through which eac-h element of data in onecovering one of said related elements of data.

Column together with its related element in the other column is visiblein turn as the JAMES E. MoDADE.

